When Harsha Koorimannil Valiyamannil made the decision to leave her home in Kerala, southern India, and move to Belfast to study Computing Science at Ulster University, she knew she was embarking on a life-changing journey.
Four years later, as she graduates from Ulster University with First Class Honours, she reflects on a university experience that has been about far more than earning a degree.
A Dean's List student in both her first and second years, Harsha has combined academic excellence with an exceptional commitment to supporting others. Throughout her time at Ulster University, she has become a leading and passionate advocate for inclusion, representation and student belonging, both for women in technology and international students living and studying in Northern Ireland.
Before arriving in Belfast in 2022, Harsha came from a creative background, studying animation and working in graphic design. Having always enjoyed mathematics at school, she saw Computing Science as the perfect way to combine both interests.
“I've always been a creative person and a bit of a maths girlie as well,” she explained. “I loved that computing allowed me to build things, solve problems and bring my creative thinking into technology.”
While researching UK universities, Harsha was particularly attracted to both Belfast and Ulster University.
“I was looking for a university with a strong reputation in computing, and Ulster stood out. At the same time, I was really drawn to Belfast because of its arts and cultural scene. It felt like the perfect combination of creativity and technology.”
Moving thousands of miles from home to start university life in a new country, culture and academic environment brought challenges for Harsha and reinforced the importance of supportive communities.
“The culture shock was definitely part of the journey. When you're an international student, having people around you who make you feel welcome and included makes such a difference.”
As a woman studying Computing Science, Harsha was also aware of the challenges around representation in technology and engineering.
“Sometimes people underestimate what women are capable of because of their gender. I've experienced that myself, so inclusion and representation are extremely important to me.”
Determined to create positive change, Harsha co-founded the Women in STEM Society, creating opportunities for students to connect, find support and celebrate women across STEM disciplines. Among Harsha’s proudest achievements is the creation of the Hack4Health Hackathon in 2025, which brought students together to use technology to address real-world health challenges and has continued beyond its inaugural year.
“I want to do things that leave a legacy for other people to carry on and build. The fact that Hack4Health is continuing and becoming part of Ulster University's future is something I'm really proud of.”
Mark Donnelly, Senior Lecturer at the Ulster University School of Computing praised Harsha’s work both as a student and peer, commenting:
“Harsha is an exceptionally talented and curious student who embraced a deliberately challenging final-year project, applying emerging technologies to address a meaningful real-world problem aligned with her interests. I am delighted to see her graduate and have no doubt she will continue to be an outstanding ambassador for women in computing.”
Alongside her work with the Women in STEM Society, Harsha played a key role in coordinating Ulster University's Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) and informally mentoring international students, helping peers settle into university life and navigate their new environment. Her commitment to inclusion continued during her placement year with Ulster University's Widening Access and Flexible Education department, where she delivered mentor training and helped widen participation initiatives across campuses.
“The placement completely changed my confidence,” she said. “It encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, get involved in opportunities and develop skills that I now use every day. It really helped shape who I am.”
Harsha's commitment to supporting others extends beyond Ulster University, back home to her hometown in Kerala. She has delivered English and communication workshops for school students at home, helping young people build confidence and embrace new opportunities.
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For other international students considering studying at Ulster University, her advice is simple.
“Say yes to opportunities,” she said. “You never know where they might lead. Some of the best experiences happen when you try something you never expected.”
Harsha is one of more than 5000 students graduating from Ulster University this summer, with ten days of celebrations taking place at ceremonies in Belfast, Coleraine & Derry~Londonderry.
Celebrating her graduation in Belfast, Harsha was joined by her mother, who travelled from India to attend the ceremony and visit the city for the first time. Looking ahead, she sees a future in Northern Ireland, and hopes to build a career focused on outreach, inclusion and supporting others.
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